Next Tuesday, Ohioans will decide whether they want abortion to be a constitutionally-protected right and to help the pro-abortion side out, Friday’s edition of NBC Nightly News interviewed a trio of Republicans who tried to claim that being pro-abortion is conservative.
Former state lawmaker Joan Lawrence stated that “I think it's up to the individual, not the government to decide what to do about a pregnancy.”
She also declared that, “It's not a partisan issue, it really isn't. And Republicans are making it a -- trying to make it a partisan issue.”
Correspondent Stephanie Gosk explained that, “Other Republican women from the reliably red Columbus suburbs also feel that way. In August they voted against a Republican effort to make changing the state constitution harder. Many viewed that special election as an attempt to undermine the vote next Tuesday when Ohioans decide whether to guarantee access to abortion in the state constitution.”
Gosk proceeded to introduce “Lisa Knapp, a registered Republican believes in low taxes and small government. She also says women's bodies are their own business.”
Knapp then was seen suggesting “So, that's a big Republican ideal is that the government stays out of our business, but in this particular issue they are getting in your business.”
Gosk followed up by asking, “Do you think that the abortion issue has been good politically for the Republican Party?”
Ignoring that Republicans dominate the state, Knapp declared, “Oh, it's been horrible.”
Moving on, Gosk introduced Erica, no last name given, “It is far from certain how next week's abortion vote in Ohio will go, but either way some Republicans believe the party is focused on the wrong issue.”
Erica suggested that, “I feel like they're missing a lot of the big ones, a lot of the struggles that people have in day to day life. I mean inflation is really bad, food prices.”
Gosk claimed Erica is actually pro-life, “Erica, a mom of four young boys, is opposed to abortion but voted against the Republican measure last summer, which she felt was an overreach.” However, “she’s frustrated with her party.”
Erica explained that, “If someone was like, hey, I want to impose a six-week ban I would never vote for that person. I think the abortion issue is just a lot bigger than most people have realized it is, you know, for Republicans.”
Republicans are pro-life and conservativism will never be pro-abortion, just like NBC will never do a puff piece on pro-life Democrats who think abortion without limitations shows how their party is out of touch.
Here is a transcript for the November 3 show:
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
11/3/2023
7:13 PM ET
LESTER HOLT: With abortion expected to be a key issue in next year's presidential election, an early test will come Tuesday when voters in Ohio will decide whether to guarantee the right to abortion in the state constitution. Here's Stephanie Gosk.
JOAN LAWRENCE: However, abortion may be prohibited after –
STEPHANIE GOSK: Ninety-two-year-old Joan Lawrence has always been in favor of abortion rights.
LAWRENCE: I think it's up to the individual, not the government to decide what to do about a pregnancy.
GOSK: She's also a lifelong Republican who served in the Ohio legislature.
LAWRENCE: It's not a partisan issue, it really isn't. And Republicans are making it a -- trying to make it a partisan issue.
GOSK: Other Republican women from the reliably red Columbus suburbs also feel that way. In August they voted against a Republican effort to make changing the state constitution harder. Many viewed that special election as an attempt to undermine the vote next Tuesday when Ohioans decide whether to guarantee access to abortion in the state constitution.
LISA KNAPP: I thought it was kind of sneaky that it was being placed last minute on a special election.
GOSK: Lisa Knapp, a registered Republican believes in low taxes and small government. She also says women's bodies are their own business.
KNAPP: So, that's a big Republican ideal is that the government stays out of our business, but in this particular issue they are getting in your business.
GOSK: Do you think that the abortion issue has been good politically for the Republican Party?
KNAPP: Oh, it's been horrible.
GOSK: It is far from certain how next week's abortion vote in Ohio will go, but either way some Republicans believe the party is focused on the wrong issue.
ERICA [LAST NAME WITHHELD]: I feel like they're missing a lot of the big ones, a lot of the struggles that people have in day to day life. I mean inflation is really bad, food prices.
GOSK: Erica, a mom of four young boys, is opposed to abortion but voted against the Republican measure last summer, which she felt was an overreach.
ERICA: Good job, bud.
GOSK: She's frustrated with her party.
ERICA: I don't care about the party lines. I care about truth and honesty and follow my principles.
GOSK: Do you feel like the Republican party right now is sort of at odds with itself?
ERICA: Definitely, definitely.
GOSK: Lisa has similar concerns about the future of the party heading into the 2024 presidential election. Do you think abortion is an issue that will direct who you choose in the primaries?
KNAPP: Oh, yeah, absolutely. If someone was like, hey, I want to impose a six-week ban I would never vote for that person. I think the abortion issue is just a lot bigger than most people have realized it is, you know, for Republicans.
